Habitat

Naval shipworms are marine and estuarine organisms inhabiting various submerged wooden substrates including floating wood, ships, or wharfs. Part of their larval stage is spent free-swimming in water. While they can tolerate low saline levels (up to 5 ppt), they flourish at levels greater than 9 ppt. Their optimal temperature range is 15 to 25 degrees Celsius and, as a result, T. navalis can be found in temperate and tropical zones.